Ritamen Volunteer for the Pope Francis Home Challenge!
Nine Ritamen volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Chicago on Holy Thursday
Truth, Unity, and Love. These are the three core values that the Augustinians live by in our parishes and schools. Our longest-running school in the Midwest is Saint Rita of Cascia High School. This past Holy Thursday, the schools students, aptly named "Ritamen," showed that the school carries the tradition of these three values through their volunteering and fundraising for the Augustinians' Pope Francis Home Challenge.
This spring, the Augustinians are partnering with Habitat for Humanity Chicago to help build a home for a needy family on the South Side of Chicago. Inspired by Pope Francis's call to live out this year with mercy in our hearts, this is an effort to "shelter the homeless," one of the Corporal Works of Mercy.
First, the students at St. Rita raised over $1,200 on Wednesday, March 23 for the challenge by holding a "Penny War." The Penny Wars are friendly competitions between each of the classes. Furthermore, the school will be taking up a collection on April 7th at the monthly Novena Mass to Saint Rita at the Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel. All collections taken up that evening will also be matched!
On Holy Thursday, March 24, nine students from St. Rita visited the construction site to help build the home. It was rainy that day and a bit dreary, but the students were there in great spirits. One of our Augustinian men in formation, Brother Joe Ruiz, O.S.A., accompanied the Ritamen on their trip.
Brother Joe Ruiz, O.S.A., accompanied the Ritamen that volunteered for Habitat for Humanity Chicago
The Augustinians are trying to raise $20,000 to help build this home for the needy family. We are asking all our friends and supporters to make a contribution toward these efforts - every gift counts! Please learn more about the Pope Francis Home Challenge by clicking on the button below.
